Indrajit Kundu: Kolkata’s iconic Victoria Memorial Hall and museum remains shut indefinitely due to the Covid outbreak. Spread over 64 acres, the campus is currently manned by 113 CISF personnel. According to the museums director Dr Jayanta Sengupta, the museum will remain shut till further orders from the Ministry of Culture.
Being one of the most popular heritage sites in the country, Victoria Memorial Hall has received record annual foot fall of over 35 lakh in past two years. During peak season, in the winter, the site records 8-10,000 visitors per day. Managing such a huge crowd is a challenge for the museum administration and any scope of resuming operations for the public will only happen once Kolkata is Covid-free, says the director.
At present, the heritage site is being maintained by a skeletal staff of more than 20 personnel. Proper SOPs as per Covid guidelines are being followed. The recent cyclone Amphan has caused minor damage and authorities are undertaking its restoration, though regular operations at the museum office remain suspended.
Post Covid, the museum authorities plan to install fumigation tunnels and screen visitors while ensuring hand sanitisation facilities are put in place. Meanwhile, the museum has decided to put emphasis on its digital presence so that history enthusiasts can avail virtual tours, see photographs of items on display, etc online.
